Sampler by Leona Houle

Textile

Sampler of handiwork by Leona Houle

Sampler of sewing skills and techniques, with embroidered name of school and Leona Houle; most likely a school project

2025.05.26.26

Embroidered Panel

Sampler of sewing skills and techniques, most likely a school project

This sampler was done by Leona Houle, approximately 1911 when she was 13 years old. It demonstrates sewing techniques and skills likely taught to young women at St. Andre's School in Biddeford, ME at that time, including sewing, tatting, embroidery, gathering, and design. It is signed with her name in embroidery as well as the name of the school, " Ecole St. Andre." She died 3 years later in 1914 at the age of 16 years old.

Dr. Marcel Houle Collection

Leona Houle

Artist

Leona Houle

20th Century

Biddeford, ME

Embroidery

Tatting

Hand sewing

Cut work

Sampler

Runner

Sampler

Embroidery

Needlework

Art

Category 08: Communication Objects

Inventory

Good

Apr 23, 2026

A few small rust colored stains visible on the top back end of the sampler.

This sampler likely illustrates techniques taught to young women at St. Andre's School at that time as evidenced by her name in embroidery, as well as the name of the school. According to a note by Dr. Houle, she was 13 at the time this was made and born in 1898. She died at the age of 16 years old in 1914.